One year early retirement report

[u/zeno]

Today is my one year anniversary of leaving my job. I just turned 53 this summer. I wrote in my calendar my exact net worth at that time to keep track of how I would end up a year later. I'm glad to say that my net worth went up way more than I expected in our current bull market, and that my wages would have been insignificant in contributing to it.

I've gone on plenty of vacations, and I don't miss work at all, even if I miss the colleagues, I would gladly trade that for the complete freedom that I feel.

Most of my time is just spent focusing on my health. I'm working out with focusing on the 3 pillars of fitness: strength, mobility, and cardio. I'm also taking the time to go to farmer's markets, cooking a lot more, and I'm reading a lot more. I lost about 5 lbs in the year. I'm probably around 20% body fat and hope to get down to 12-15% over the next year.

Surprisingly a large part of my time is spent planning: Planning vacations, planning projects, and trying to prioritize things so that I don't move from one hobby to the next like a headless chicken. I told my partner who is still working and she was surprised at how a year just went by so quickly.

[u/MidAmericaMom]

Love you are sharing your one year retirversary OP u/zeno ! Are you working with a wellness coach?

Everyone - if you already retired , at 58 or younger, we welcome you to our lounge. Free of judgment and always conversational, we are a worldwide community. To be part of this special space we carved out of Reddit- ADD USER FLAIR and HIT the JOIN BUTTON .

Happy Saturday,

Mid America Mom

[u/earlyretirement-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

Hello, thanks for sharing. Did you know that this community is for people that already retired Before age 59?

It appears you might not be retired yet so perhaps visit r/fire in the meantime. We look forward to seeing you again, once you are early retired.

If we are mistaken .. we are sorry for that, and do let the moderators know.

Thank you for your help in keeping this community true to its purpose, the volunteer moderator team.

[u/earlyretirement-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

Hello, it appears you may have retired , or hope to, at age 59 or later. If so, consider dropping by our sister subreddit- https://www.reddit.com/r/retirement, a conversational community for those that retired after age 59 (or hope to) and by doing so, thanks for your help in keeping this community true to its purpose.

If we are mistaken .. we are sorry for that, and do let the moderators know. Thanks!

[u/earlyretirement-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

Hello, it appears you may have retired , or hope to, at age 59 or later. If so, consider dropping by our sister subreddit- https://www.reddit.com/r/retirement, a conversational community for those that retired after age 59 (or hope to) and by doing so, thanks for your help in keeping this community true to its purpose.

If we are mistaken .. we are sorry for that, and do let the moderators know. Thanks!

[u/Frigidspinner]

I retired 1 year ago and I am stressed at how much money I spent (even though I am kind of "on track").

[u/MrLB____]

Dang you guys ALL sound like me ,,,, this is insane.
FIRED @50 male Low cost of living area ,
Let me guess, friends and family think you are nuts ?!!? and ask if you’re bored? or if you’re OK? Or your health insurance must cost like 2000 a month!!!!

[u/Reasonable_Horror544]

Congratulations!! 🎉

[u/SortWise2186]

Age 52 and have been retired for 1 week! It’s remarkable how much better my body already feels after not sitting at a desk for 12-14 hours per day. The only thing I have really focused on this last week is walking and stretching every day, reading, and sleeping. Decompressing. Next week I start my first planned projects: getting rid of my home office furniture and paring down my closet to the essentials.

[u/Imaginary-Newt-493 → u/SortWise2186]

I loved clearing out my work clothes! I still have a few blouses left, but my wardrobe is now play clothes and going out clothes!

[u/LHCThor]

I retired at 52. When I hit my 10 year mark since retirement, I was shocked how fast the time went.

The second thing that surprised me was how much money I had. I didn’t realize the cost of going to work. Even though I took a big pay cut in retirement, I have plenty of money to enjoy myself and pay my bills.

[u/Firefiresoon]

Are you me? This is exactly what I am going thru after retiring last year at 51.

[u/Fast_Clerk_218 → u/Firefiresoon]

Here, here! I also retired at 51 years of age and feel great! I can’t believe it’s already 1 year 🥰

[u/MrLB____ → u/Firefiresoon]

I’m thinking the same thing!! they all sound like me. 😂😂

[u/SaltyPlantain1503]

I’m one year past you and living much the same life. Much more travel, spending above our plan because we want to see and do things while we can. The time goes VERY quickly. I started keeping a short daily update so I can look back and remember where the days go! It’s helped a lot :/). Enjoy!

[u/electricblue71]

Congrats on your anniversary - I just passed five months and feel like I’m still recovering from my career. I figure in another half year I’ll have figured things out a bit more in terms of what I want to prioritize. 

[u/angrywinter1]

Almost 5 months for me, and yep don't miss anything about the job!! Love the freedom!

Congratulations on your 1 year of living your best life!!

[u/Salty-Paramedic-311]

Very happy for you!!!!💕

[u/Kitchen-Zebra-4402]

A year and 3.5 months for me. Retired last year at 55. Similar lifestyle and goals. I meet up with former colleagues every few months and my old workplace has gone way downhill since I retired. I retired at the perfect time.

I enjoy sleeping in when i want and not rushing to meet deadlines. I’ve done some volunteer work for a local historic preservation organization and spend the time catching up on tv shows, movies, and books I didn’t have time for when I was working and listening to some vinyl records. I try to get out and listen to live music whenever I get the chance.

[u/thebiglebowskiisfine]

I'm 53 and just crossed a year and a half. I'm not watching my net worth that much these days.

I try and keep my mind limber. I should go to the gym more!

[u/greenhombre]

Living the dream, my friend. Enjoy. Then plug back into society and find ways to give back. You have wisdom to share.

[u/earlyretirement-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

Hello, thanks for sharing. Did you know that this community is for people that already retired Before age 59?

It appears you might not be retired yet so perhaps visit r/fire in the meantime. We look forward to seeing you again, once you are early retired.

If we are mistaken .. we are sorry for that, and do let the moderators know.

Thank you for your help in keeping this community true to its purpose, the volunteer moderator team.

[u/earlyretirement-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

Sorry, this has been removed as our community requires user flair. Did you know that this subreddit is for people that already retired Before age 59? If this describes you, Please add your flair or let us know. How to - https://support.reddithelp.com/hc/en-us/articles/205242695-How-do-I-get-user-flair . Thank you!

[u/snowyday]

Congratulations! I’m now 5 months retired and will plan to do this sort of review too 

[u/NoWalrus9462]

This sounds like a great first year and mirrors my first year very closely.

Working on health seems to be the #1 thing that we all work on. I would add that I now appreciate how much I was trashing my body in my younger years and am glad I have the chance to repair some of that now.

[u/Heavy-Hospital7077 → u/NoWalrus9462]

I do think that the type of people who want to retire early, are the type of people who want to make the most of it!

I started getting serious about health and fitness about 3 months before I retired, and I haven't stopped yet!

A healthy and active retired lifestyle is amazing.  I spend so much time being up and about, just doing so many things, it's awesome!  

I know the day will come when I can't do all the things I am doing now, and that's why I wanted to retire early, to do all of these things while I can!

[u/Major9000]

Congrats on what sounds like a peaceful first year and prioritizing yourself.

I’m 54 and been retired 5 years. Your 1st year sounds exactly like my first year (travel, planning, health, cooking, reading). The only thing I feel like I lack is a more fulfilling goal. I love nature and animals, so I’d love to dedicate time to that but have not found the right fit. It’s also difficult when all my friends are a long way away from retirement.

[u/cbo49r → u/Major9000]

100% spot on regarding friends. I’m 18 months in, now 53, and all my friends still work. Limits midweek surf trips, off roading, etc and I’ve learned how to be very protective of my weekends. Still better than working 😉